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((COOKIEZ! *glomps*))

France knew he was in for it. His boss always forced him to do things like this. Why? Because he says that France needs to have better relations with the other countries. 'Psh! I'm fine as it is. I don't need new friends...' He thinks. When he arrives at the meeting place he sees Norway. He gets out of the car and grabs his stuff. Then the car is driven away by a guard. France had a backpack full of everything his boss said was essensial for hiking. France rolled his eyes at the thought. He walks over to Norway.
"Bonjour. Is anyone else here yet?" He asks the Norse country.

(( biggrin OMG, Denmark ripping apart his bunny!!! NOOO!!! lol. makes me miss Glowstick...))

"That's a shame." France says. He looks around. Then back to Norway. It gave France an erie feeling the way that Norway's expression never changed. He didn't deal with Norway as often as other countries like let's say, England. "So why are you here?" He says in an attempt to start a conversation.

"My boss made me come. He always makes me come to these kinds of things." France says with a frown. "I never did get why he's not satified with what I do. My hobbies are enough for me but he disagrees." France sighs and puts his head in his hands. "So what did you bring?" He says.

((I wasn't sure where to 'sign up' but I hope it would be all right if I jumped in this one. Let me know if I am intruding. And BTW Cookie, is it all right to call you cookie, anyway cookie, I for one see a considerable amount of potential in this RP. Don't sell yourself short. You just gotta get the ball rolling! Oh and I apologize for my rather dull and unimpressive looking posts. I'm such an old school RPer. I haven't figured out how to dress the darn things up. crying I usually stay away from pretty posts because I'm too embarrassed with my primitive looking ones. Most RPs these days really like dazzling looking posts. So I've missed out on a lot of them even though I explode with much interest to join.))

The two would carry what could be considered rather idle banter, but are interrupted when there is a loud snap in the woods a few yards ahead of them. By sound of foot falls and rustling of underbrush it was clear something was making it's way down the trail.

A bear?

Perhaps a wild cougar?

The sounds would grow louder, whatever it was not caring in the least bit if it is heard. As it draws near, it's presence is seen by the rustling of bushes, it's only around what could be considered a corner which consisted of a thick grouping of trees. The suspense would die rather anticlimactically as a very familiar pair of thick eye brows are seen, coupled with bright, exotic, emerald eyes.

Australia appears in what could be considered stereotypical outing gear. Comfy shirt beneath a dark green vest and Kaki shorts. Of course his trademark slouch hat was perched atop his head. On his back is a big back pack which seems to be from his days in the ANZAC military. In his hand is one long hiking stick and hanging off his thick utility belt is a machete. Again, looking like it has been well used in it's day, and nothing as innocent as chopping wood.

He pauses as if shocked and looks at both from a distance with those wide green eyes. Finally a wide smile breaks upon those rugged features and he raises a gloved hand to greet them.

"How ya going mates?" He says brightly which of course was his way of saying: How are you guys? "I didn't think anyone would be early. You both must be quite eager to do this. I gotta say, I'm pretty shocked, if I had to guess you both would be the last. Guess that goes to show you can never judge a book by it's cover right?" Australia spoke as if both had answered him. It was easy to see he was one of those who could easily carry a conversation on with himself to fill the silence if need be. He was also rather honest to a point. Australia didn't hide the fact that he was pretty impressed to see one of the most reclusive nordics present. Australia strolled right up to them and clapped one on the shoulder in a kind greeting and nodded to the other. "You two the only ones here?" He asked before looking around them. "I suppose that's a good thing." Australia naturally carried on. "Though it would be quite an interesting trip if England and Uncle Scotland came with you both. Or even King Denny. Then again there isn't really anyone who doesn't annoy the crap out of England. Am I right or what?" Australia nudges with an elbow France playfully.

((I don't mean to impose cookie, but a lesson on the basic of 'how to get your post to not look so darn ugly and plain' would be great. It would be nice to be 'hip' like everyone else. I need help like a school boy in desperate need of enlightening. redface ))

At this close a range Australia could really see why more than a few countries kept their distance from Norway. He was like a placid lake. Very still, almost emotionless yet you knew there was more to him just beneath.

...Like a lake monster.

It wasn't hard to believe that this was one of the feared vikings of the old world. And this one in particular who had plundered and raided England's and Scotland's country side. The old kingdom never spoke a word of it but Australia knew better. The English could hold a grudge and England probably never forgave either nordic even though England really let Norway have it at the battle of Stamford Bridge. (He believed Norway took over Uncle Scotland and Denmark took England). But still the fear a young country must have felt having berzerking devils loot and plunder his country side constantly. That kind of fear never goes away. England was probably just as good as Norway at hiding it. The two apparently have had good relations after WWII (funny how England kept crossing paths with those Nordics). When Germany invaded Norway, England was the one to help him and his people escape and gave him a temporary haven in the heart of London.

He might have been looking into it pretty deeply, but aside from what he's heard through his anglo bros, he's never really known that much about the scandinavian countries.

But that's what this trip was for right? Strength international ties, get to know each other better and form a more perfect world and all that happy rot. Or maybe he was just being optimistic?

Before his thoughts were allowed to wander, Australia merely shrugged in neither an affirmative nor a negative to Norway's passive comment. He was only making a statement, and though framed as a question, it was still retorical. Australia grew up with England so he knew how that one could be all too well. Australia had gotten the same response from England and America before too. 'How great is the weather?!' He had exclaimed (clearly standing right there and seeing it for himself) and both had answered him.

England always scolded him that he always sounded like he was asking a question. Even normal statements seemed to have an odd curve at the end.

Australia never noticed before. He must sound weird to Norway. Despite being a scandinavian country, he'd heard they had a pretty firm grasp on the english language (almost better than him, sad or what?!).

"...Either way, I'm sure this trip, whether you wanted to come or not, will be benefical in some way. I'm looking forward to it." Australia nudged Norway with an elbow accompanied by a knowing wink. C'mon a reclusive Nordic WANTING to hiking with other countries? He didn't know Norway but even that seemed out of place to Australia.

Even though he'd done this kind of thing since before he was a nation, the thought that there would be interesting company like Norway made it far more exciting to the Aussie than it really should have.

"...I don't know who else was forced to come, but they had better arrive soon, it's not wise to go traversing around the forests at night. A lot of nocturnal hunters n' all." The Aussie says off handedly as he looks into sky over head. They've still got a few more hours of day light, provided they get moving soon. "Not to worry though, I had myself a little walkabout before you arrived." He had to keep himself busy after all and he wasn't one to stay in one place for long. "A few miles down the trail is a nice clearing. It's next to a river too. Lots of cover under trees in case it rains. We can leave a message here informing everyone else what we're doing and wait for them there. At least if there's any that arrive late, we already have a base camp set up and we can break camp next morning." He looks to his two companions smiling widely. "Of course if anyone has any other ideas feel free to speak up. I ain't the leader here or anything."

Who knows how long the three idled about? But eventually Australia had paced to the point he could have worn a new path in the ground before finally clearing his throat to grab his companion's attention.

"Well if I may be the first to suggest so, how about we move this party? I fear any longer and it'll be too late to reach that clearing. I came here to hike some trails, not to stand here and look at it. So if it's all the same to you blokes, I think we should get a move on. Let's just leave a note behind so the others know where we've gone."

THe Aussie waves his two companions forward as he would lead the way. It wasn't far but it certainly would take some time to get there and the evening was setting fast.

((I am just sooo tempted to turn this into a fatal frame-esque story with the haunted village and such...kekekekekekek))